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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_2:43-47
43Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Act_2:43-47 This seems to be the first of many editorial comments by Luke (i.e., Act_6:7; Act_9:31; Act_12:24; Act_16:5; Act_19:20). See Introduction, "Purpose and Structure," A.
Act_2:43 "Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe" This is an imperfect passive (deponent) indicative. We get the English "phobia" from this term "awe" or "fear." God's presence and power caused a holy atmosphere, even unsaved sinners were aware of the sacredness of the time and place!
Act_2:44 "all those who had believed" See note at Act_3:16.
▣ "and had all things in common" This early experiment in "community" was not successful (cf. Act_4:32 to Act_5:11). It was not meant to be a universal principle, but an attempt at a loving, mutually supportive community or faith. This is a good example that not everything recorded in the Bible is meant to be universally implemented! These early believers had a great love for one another. Oh, that we could regain this love and sense of the presence and power of God among us (cf. Joh_17:11; Joh_17:21-23)!!
Act_2:46 "with one mind" The early church was characterized by this unity of purpose (cf. Act_1:14; Act_2:46; Act_4:24; Act_5:12). This is not to say that they agreed on everything, but that their hearts and minds were knit together in kingdom priorities instead of personal preferences or agendas.
▣ "in the temple" They probably met in "Solomon's portico" (cf Act_3:11; Act_5:12). Jesus taught there (cf. Joh_10:23). Solomon's Portico or porch was a covered colonnade along the east side of the outer court of the Gentiles in Herod's Temple (cf. Josephus' Antiq. 15.11.3). Rabbis taught there. People regularly gathered there to hear teaching.
Notice the early church attended the temple and probably the local synagogues until the rabbis instituted a curse formula (about a.d. 70), which forced synagogue members to curse Jesus. This caused the break between the church and Judaism. The early believers maintained their weekly worship, but also met on Sunday to commemorate Jesus' resurrection. Remember, Jesus Himself met with the disciples, three Sunday nights in a row.
▣ "breaking bread from house to house" If "breaking bread" was a technical designation for the Lord's Supper (cf. Luk_22:19 and esp. in contexts of agape meals [1Co_11:17-22; 2Pe_2:13-14; Jud_1:12] in the early church, ex. Act_20:7), then this refers to daily communion in local homes (but it must be admitted that it is also used of a regular meal in Luk_24:30; Luk_24:35). Be careful of your dogmatic denominational traditions about the when, where, frequency, and form of the Lord's Supper. The heart is the key!
NASB "gladness and sincerity of heart"
NKJV "gladness and simplicity of heart"
NRSV "glad and generous hearts"
TEV "glad and humble hearts"
NJB "glad and generously"
The variety of the translations of the second term shows the difficulty of translating aphelotçs. Literally it meant smooth or plain, but it was used metaphorically for "simple," "sincere," or "humble" (Louw and Nida). See hyperlink at Act_1:24.
Act_2:47
NASB, NKJV "having favor with all the people"
NRSV "having the goodwill of all the people"
TEV "enjoying the goodwill of all the people"
NJB "were looked up to by everyone"
This phrase refers to the acceptance of the early Christians by the people of Jerusalem. All the different types and levels of society thought well of these first believers. Christians were not a threat to Roman authority or to the Roman peace (one purpose of Acts). There was no break with rabbinical Judaism at the beginning of the church.
▣ "the Lord was adding" This is an imperfect active indicative. The Bible emphasizes the sovereignty of God. Nothing happens apart from God's will. Nothing surprises God. However, this OT way of asserting monotheism (i.e., one causality, see Special Topic at Act_2:39) has been misunderstood. I would like to insert two Special Topics, one on the need for balance and one on covenant. I hope this brings light, not heat!
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NASB, NRSV "to their number"
NKJV "to the church"
TEV "to their group"
NJB "to their community"
The phrase epi to auto is used in Classical Greek and Koine Greek (Septuagint and Act_1:15; Act_2:1; Act_2:47; 1Co_11:20; 1Co_14:23), meaning "coming together" (Metzger, Textual Commentary, p. 305). Here in the NT it refers to a church meeting. Therefore, the Lord added to the church (i.e., the gathering) daily. This shows the lifestyle evangelism of these first generation believers!
▣ "those who were being saved" The phrase "Lord (God or Christ) was adding," used earlier in Act_2:46, is an imperfect active indicative, but this phrase is a present passive participle. The expressed agent of the passive voice is the Lord. The "saved" are in a process. Salvation starts with belief/trust/faith (i.e., Joh_1:12; Joh_3:16; Rom_10:9-13). Salvation is a relationship initiated by God/Spirit (cf. Joh_6:44; Joh_6:65), but it must be an ongoing experience. It is not a ticket to heaven or a life insurance policy; it is a daily, growing, faith relationship. See Special Topic: Greek Verb Tenses Used for Salvation at Act_2:40.
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